‘I can shop much more easily’: Central Oregonians venture out again, shop downtown as the snow melts away

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The recent snowstorms and extreme cold caused some businesses to close as customers stayed home. But now, with the big thaw underway, people are venturing out once again. 

"I hadn't seen, like negative temperatures in a few years," Bend resident Eve Gjata said Monday. "So that was kind of new for me."

For more than a week, Central Oregonians saw many days of snow, extreme cold and freezing rain. But now, with temperatures in the 40s, it's melting into history, and memories.

"I'm shopping for a birthday, so I'm really excited that the weather cleared up, because I was scared over the weekend that I wasn't able to get out shop," Gjata said. So now that the weather is clear and the roads are clear, I can shop much more easily."

In downtown Bend, people were ready to hit the streets -- going shopping, grabbing a coffee, or making an overdue visit to the post office. Things we take for granted, until we can't.

Bend resident Alexa Repko said, "I'm stoked that it's not so icy any more. It's been tough on local businesses, especially that they've been closing down early the last week or so -- feeling bad for them, out of anybody, and not so bad for myself. But it is nice to see some sun and see people out and about again."

 At Dudley's Bookshop Cafe owner Tom Beans says the past 10 days have been tough on the bottom line, with shorter hours and having employees go home early.  

"This place is so much fun when it's when it's packed and people are in here and everybody's happy again," Beans said. "And you could tell that was definitely the vibe yesterday (Sunday)."

The business had three times as many customers Sunday as it had on Friday and Saturday.

"People were stuck inside for last five days or so, and I think people were just -- the dam broke, people ready to get out."

 Central Oregon was far from alone in the storm impacts.  In Portland, restaurants and bars were forced to shut down during last week's storms. Now, some are asking Oregon lawmakers to help them recover.